A number of the principle uses for the sites have been set, following Arun District Council's previous public consultation, which subsequently led to the adopted Development Brief.
However, some aspects of the schemes including initial design concepts, location and height/density of buildings, plus public realm use and landscape design were presented for public consultation and feedback at the Stage 1 Public Exhibition in January 2008.
Stage 1: Public Consultation
Public Exhibition - January 2008
A public exhibition was held from Thursday 24 - Saturday 26 January 2008 at the Bognor Regis Methodist Church. The initial design concepts for the two sites were presented and members of the development team were present to explain the proposals and answer questions.
You can view the boards that we displayed at the exhibition by clicking here. (Note: these boards appear in pairs as viewed at the public exhibition).
Community Discussion Group – January 2008
A Community Discussion Group was formed in January 2008, from Arun District Council’s Wavelength Panel, by the third party consultancy that established the 2,000 strong group in the outset.
The Discussion Group, made up of a cross-section of 20 representatives from the local community, was formed to act as a forum for ideas generation, qualitative feedback and in-depth discussions about St Modwen’s regeneration proposals for Bognor Regis.
Schools’ Workshop – January 2008
As part of the consultation programme and in order to engage with the typically ‘hard to reach’ youth of Bognor Regis, St Modwen invited Year 10 students from four local colleges/schools to attend a Schools' Workshop in January 2008. Two schools responded to the brief and established a Schools’ Workshop Group.
The workshop acted as a forum for ideas generation, qualitative feedback and in-depth discussions about the proposals and enabled students to get actively involved in the consultation process to ensure the voice of the younger generation is represented.
Questionnaire Feedback Analysis – February to March 2008
At the January public exhibition, around 2,200 attendees were invited to fill out a questionnaire on proposals presented. Questionnaires were also held in a number of community venues around the town.
A total of 653 completed feedback questionnaires were received: 340 were posted in a box at the public exhibition, 259 returned by post, 38 via the dedicated project website and 16 at the Schools Workshop.
Next Consultation
Following the recent economic downturn and taking on board comments received from the first stage of consultation it was clear that a reduction in the scale of development would be necessary to bring the project forward.
Proposals for both sites are currently being re-considered in the light of current occupier interest for the two sites while ensuring the principles of development remain largely consistent with the original brief.
Support from Arun District Council for the revised approach will be required before the next stage of consultation commences.
